Gas-turbine.



F. A. & 0. M. VOILES.

GAS TURBINE.

APPLIUATION FILED AUG. 14, 1911.. Q Q65,41Q, Patented June 24,1913.

2 sums-5mm 2f v UNITED PATENT OFFICE.

' GAS-TURBINE.

1,065,410. Specification of men men. Patented June 24,15913.

- Application filed August 14. 1911. Serial No. 643,944.

To all whomit may concern Be it known that we, F RANK A. Vornns and Oscau M. VoILns, both citizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Turbines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a new form of gas turbine in which the power is derived from a series of explosion impulses which take place in one or more pockets or notches in the periphery of one member to cause a relative rotation as between such member and another member. For convenience, the members are preferably mounted concentric with one another, so that a relative rotation may occur as between the two members. For purposes of convenience, we will hereafter. term the rotating member the rotor and the stationary member the stator.

In practising our invention, we provide one or more pecketsor notches in the periphery of one member, preferably the rotor, the same co-aoting with the other member, so that each time an explosion takes place in one of these pockets a relative force will be exerted between the members, tending ,to cause a relative rotation. Means are provided for periodically delivering charges of explosive gas under compression to the pocket or pockets and for tiring the charges at the proper intervals.

The main objects of the invention are: to provide a prime-mover. the principle of oporation and the construction of which are such that its parts may be compactly assembled so as to reduce its size and weightas much as possible; to provide a machine of the class described, in which the gases may expand to a considerable degree after each explosion. thus giving a greater efficiency of operation; to provide a construction in which a positive reaction of one element with respect to the other will occur each time a charge of explosive is fired; to provide means for initially compressing the. gas a sufiicient amount to insure complete andin stantaneons ignition of the charge when tired; to locate and arrange such compressing means with respect to the explosion pockets, so that the gas can be directly deliver-ed to each,- pockehthereby securing quicker operation and reducing the loss of compression; to provide positively actuated valve iechanisms for delivering the charges of gas to the pockets at the proper times; to provide means for starting the prime mover with compressed air or other compressed. fluid; to provide a construct-ion such that a number of impulses may be obtained during and manners to provide an economical and satisfactory machine of this class.

Other objects and uses will appear from a detailed description of the invention, which consists in the features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a cross section taken through a machine embodying the features of our invention, in which the rotor is provided with a plurality ders for delivering the charges of explosive gas to the pockets; and Fig. 2 shows a vertical cross section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, the periphery of the rotor being shown partly in elevation.

In the d 'awings the stator is designated by the numeral 61. It is provided with a single dog 62, a single spark plug 63, and a single exhaust port 64. The rotor comprises an outer rim 65 carried by a numberrof cylinders 66 which serve as spokes in addition to performing their compressing function. In Fig. 2, practically the entire machine is shown in cross section with the exception'of a portion of the periphery of the rotor. The cylinders have their inner ends mounted on a hub 67 which in turn is secured to a shaft- 68. At their other sides they are secured to asleeve 69 as by means of bolts 70, which sleeve in turn rotates on a fixed shaft 71 through the medium of ball-bearings 72. At this side of the machine. the stator carries a bearing 73 through the medium of a side wall 74 which may be perforated for purposes of ventilation should that be desired. At the other side of the machine, the stator carries a bearing (5 through the medium of a side wall 76 which may likewise be per foratcd. A ball-bearing journal 77 is provided between the bearing 75 and the hub l 7 of the rotor. From the above it is apof pockets, and carries compressing cylineach rotation of the rotor; and in other ways o d it, but the she? 71 wnmining stationary, The shaft 71 is keyed to the bearing 73 of the stator by having its end portion 78 squared R ferring to Fig. 1, this nonroiotolole shaft carries a stotionor crank 11), to arm 80 of which is journoleoi oi, the poine 31 in the hub 67 of the Toto? by means of the mil-bearings Each piston 83 is connected to the stoiionmy crook by e eonnecting rod so the; as the rotates, the pistons will be operated book and forth in the cylinders with an action eimfior to that which takes place in :1 rotating cylinder engine. The siotiomuy shaft Y1 is ho low and into it is iIE'tEOdHCBfi pip or loot which supplies combustible 1 re '50 "the space 86 inc'iosed. by ihe e 01' the oylinoieeem Eeoh piisien is provided "with puppet Wflve 87 Maieh opens upvmrdiy m0 ioe eyfinder to peimilv though the pistons. A stiff spring; to close each of the eves eonnesting? rod is providefi fifth e finger 8% in position to actuate the om ospoo" pet valve, sueh animation eel g time the connecting mood swings over as file piston starts on its flown stroke. "oefore the'piston reaches the lowezr stroke, a complete emerge tok n lot-o the eyimfier, the eotonoe-m rod W111 start io swing in "khe oflzer n and the puppet valve W111 aremom closed the is compreese on the up ei roi W111 be onderseooci that e oenimiogol mii be exerteda on Foe e making the swings be how closed em] the The e poeketo m succession,

L tending toehrow Into such oosieion, "flhe' .ilooiif eooh oyimder 1e formecl Whmh the forward end and wha'eh ie on ode-d wiih e, efioe VG, of which yore 96. the slide To? e, Yoy the numeral 9?. Each 0; o

is provided with arm 3o ro'fler and is normofiv held in out-Word or dosed position bv e of a spring 109. 112111113211 Ewe is prcwifled in the S'iTflfiOlZ the slide v: hee

'shouid close, and the charge should then be fired.

In order to improve the operation the mechanism a packing rod 10 '4 Pym Med to prevent the escape of gas J the ewe", and a packing mi 194; prevent the go of forwarrliy pest the 0; of the pocket 51$ each side 07 me A end of the pocket ther-e is provided o slop portion which eilows the dog; desoem; earl-fly and l'eduoes the vibration,

ereasing' the smoothness and of o )emiion. These surfaces Show a. gzoriioneci to aHoW "che (log to (h 1 into the pockets.

Fzom the above deeoeipiviom zhe' ope? 'ioo chie form o1 machine Wifi be oppw roior Tomi-es, each. eiso; o. will start to travel c'iowmmrd. 13 5 mi "Tera At the some time its eomlec rooi WM toward the ieft thus; i'lTGlfill'lg-Tj the valve and allowing gas to seek 1; Hoe upper portlon the 0311 practically the entil'e down St pieton. Vfimn epproxime'kely 1 'iion'bes iveen mode, the v n v Hose, one} as the piston word to compress the goo toe co Wii'i swing in the other? dire-obi ejiowing flee valve :io remain closed one. proper oompreseion of 7/ oeifoee the piston reaches the upper end of iris stroke, but after the dog hos dropped infito the oonesponoling pocket. khe corresponding valve will open to esiie fiish communication from the e iinfiel" be that poeke'i, and the portion of the stroke will be performed Whilehe alve open. This will insure prootiooiiy compie'i'e transfer of to the pocket. 'iTh-ereupim the valve will quickly shut and imme'iiote'iy efierworci the charge will be :fired. "iho charge will then expand ire. the pooke as the rotor rotates. until finally file em? 93 will raise the iog. woo; aft rward Loo pocket will come into common on with the exhaust port and, the burnt Wm pa e away. There are provic' d of smullei' notehes 106 as 5. more those serving; to effom i e s ofbnent gases 1a: 'oiug before the next pot ocvioo. $1150 a compressed,

is provided for admitting compressed air into the notches in order to start the machine.

The above described embodiment of our invention 15 such that any number of im- 1 pulses may be secured during each rotation of the rotor. In the particular construction illustrated, only four pockets are provided, but evidently their number can be increased indefinitelydepending upon the size of the machine and the requirements. In this way, a very smooth operation is secured and one in which a practically uniform torque is exerted. Furthermore, the .amount'of ex pansion of-the burnt gases may beas large as desired, depending upon the relative volume of the pocket at the instant of'explosion as compared to the total volume of the pocket. Furthermore, in this present construction, the combustible gas is transferred directly with the shortest possible path from the cylinder to the pocket. In this way, the gas will be delivered to the pocket, at practically an undiminished compression, any loss by leakage will be minimized, and in general the operation of the machine will be improved.

Zitwas previously stated that a removable head 95 is provided for each cylinder. This permits the cylinders to be easily bored, thus making it possible to cast them all as one piece, reducing the cost of construction, and providing-a more rigid and durable machine. Although we have shown this construction as having a stator frame which completely encircles the rotor, still it is evident that only a comparatively small portion of it isactive, being the portion immediately to the right of the dog and spark plug in Fig. 1. During practically threefourths of a revolution the pockets are not being used so that the remaining portion of the stator might be cut away should that be desired in order to reduce the weight and .cost of the machine. In any case, however,

it would probably be desirable to provide a light tannng around the entire machine in order to keep out dust and protect the rotating member. It will be understood, how-. ever, that this machine is one having cor- -tain inherent characteristics which permit it to be lightly and cheaply built and per mit a practically uniform torque to be secured. Furthermore, the numberof strokes per revolution can be increased almost in thousand strokes during thesame time. in other words, the etlectiveness per cylinder is practically doubled.

In the construction shown. a Water jacket 106 is provided around practically the entire stator, although such jacket might perhaps be eliminatet. from a portion of the same.

\Ve claim:

1. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of a stator, a rotor adapted to co-act therewith and provided with a plurality of explosion pockets, a, member on the stator adapted to successively seat within the pockets to cut otf portions of them, a stationary crank, a cylinder mounted within the rotor corresponding to each'pocket ot' the same, and having its piston connected to the stationary crank, a valve in each piston to permit a transfer of gas through the same, a valve for controlling the transfer of gas from each cylinder to its pocket, means for actuating such valves to effect the transfer of gas under compression to each pocket after the dog has seated therein, and means for firing such charges of gas in the pockets.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a stator, a rotor adapted to co-act therewith and provided in its periphcry with an explosion pocket, a member on the stator adapted to seat Within the pocket to cut oil?- a portionot the same, a cylinder for introducing charges of gas under compression into the pocket, a valve in the piston of the same, a spring for closing such valve, a finger on the connecting rod of the piston for actuating the valve, a valve for controlling t-he transfer of gas from the cylinder to the pocket, and means for firing the charges of gas within the pockets.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a stator, a rotor, provided with a plurality of explosion pockets, a memher on the stator adapted to successively seat within the pockets, a cylinder carried by the rotor corresponding to each pocket thereof, a piston within each cylinder, a stationary crank, a connecting rod from each piston to the stationary crank, a valved connection from each cylinder to its pocket, and means for firing the combustible gas in each pocket, substantially as described.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a stator, a rotor adapted to coact therewith, and provided with a plurality of explosion pockets, acylinder on the rotor to correspond with each pocket thereof, a'member on the stator adapted to successively seat within the pockets, :1 stag tionary crank, a piston within each cylinder, a connecting rod from each plston to the crank, a valved connection from each cylinder to its pocket, and means for successively actuating the valves of such connections to permit a flow of gas from each cyl ":1!" i M31 i inder to its pocket after the member has see/tee within such pocket, and means for firing the explosive gas within thepocltet, substantially as described.

5 lin machine of the class described, the combination of a starter, a rotor rotatably mounted adjacent the same, and provided withn plurality of explosion pockets, coinpreseioigi cylinders carried by the rotor corresponding to each pocket thereof, there being a valved connection from each cylinder to the corresponding pocket, a. stationary crank, a piston within each cylinder, a connecting rod from the stationary crank to each piston, whereby as the rotor rotates the pistons are successively actuated, a'rnember on the stator adopted to successively seat within the pockets to cut cit portions them, and. means for successively actuating the Va ves oi the valved connections to suecessively place the cylinders in coinnninica tion with their respective pockets after the member is seated within them, substantially as described.

6. n a machine of the class described, the combination of a stator, a rotor rotatably mounted adjacent the. same, there being a plurality ct explosion pockets in the periphery ot the rotor, compression cylinders car- 3 tied by the rotor corresponding to each pocket thereof, a stationary crank, a piston within each cylinder, a connecting rod from each piston to the statimiary crenlt whereby as the rotor rotates the pistons are successirei actuated, a member on the stator sub- 7 stantally in line 'i' ith the center of rotation 1c stz'ltionary crank, and adapted to ano t" successively seat within the pockets to cut off portions of them, there being," a mixed cennrr i-ion from each cylinder to its correspondin pocket, and means for successively actuating; the valves of the valved connections to successively establish coinn'umicm tion between the cylinders and the cut off portions of the r respective pockets, substantially as described.

7, ln :1. machine of the class described, the coinbinetion 01 e stator, a rotor rotatably mounted adjacent the same, there being on explosion. pocket in the rotor, a compression cylinder carried by the rotor, there being a valved connection from. said cylinder to the pocket, member on the stator adopted to seat within the pocket and. out, off portions of the same, a stationery crank, a p ton within the cylinder, e connecting rod o the stationery cranlr to the piston, an out we dly opening "valve in the piston for es .liilllllg communication stroni the crnnl.

uisucn means tendin to acetic force we outwardly o the interior of the a tinder shore the rec said vnlre iii-- werdly to close the some, memberon the rod adapteo a portion oosen) and open the same on the down stroke oi? the es piston, and means for actuating the Volvo ot the valved connection from the cylinder to the pocket to establish communication from the cylinder to the pocket after the member on the stator is seated within. the pocket, substantially as described.

8. In a machine of the class described, the" combination of a stator, and a rotor co-ectinc; therewith to provide a plurality of pockets between the stator and rotor, a device on the stator adapted to successively seat in the pockets thus tormedto cut. cit portions of them, a plurality of comoression cylinders carried by the rotor correspond ing to the number of pockets thus formed, 8O valved passageway between each cylinder and its corresponding pocket, a valve in each of said passageways, means for retaining said wives in closed position, and a corn traclcvi'ay on the stator, the com whereof 35 serves to throw the valves in succession, to place the compression cylinders successively in communication with their respective pockets. substantially as described.

9. ln a ma chine of the class described, the combination of a stator, a rotor mounted for rotation within the same, therebeing a plurality of explosion pockets in the periphery oi the rotor, a device on the stator adapted to seat successively in the pockets of the rotor, a plurality of compression cylinders carried by the rotor corresponding to the several pockets thereof, the inner ends of all. of said cylinders conin'iunicating with a common source of gas supply, a valved piston mounted for reciprocation in each compression cylinder, the valve whereof is adapted to control the tiow of gas from the ate/re mentioned common source of ens supply to the space in said cylinder abothe piston thereof, means for actuating the several. pistons to throw them into proximity with their several pockets when the aforementioned member on the stator has seated in such pockets, a valved passageway between each cylinder and its pocket, and means for successis'ely actuating the Valves of such passageways to place the cylinders in communication with their respective pockets immediately after the aforementioned member of the stator has seated in such. pockets, subste'nt-iaily as described.

L0. in a machine of thesclsss described, the combination of a stator, a rotor mounted for rotation with respeohto the stator there being a plurelit it ot explosion pockets in the periphery oil the rotor, andv there being a plurality of drninage notches in the periphcry of the rotor behind each explosion pocket, a member-on the stator adipted. to 125 successively seat in the explosion pockets, to thereby cut oil portions of them, means for firing gases in the cu't-ofi portion of each pocket, and means for introducing a charge left after the passage of the Corresponding of gas under compression to the cutoff porexplosion pocket, substantially askdescribed. tion of each pocket preparatory to firing FRANK A. VOILES. such gas, whereby the exploded charge in OSCAR M. VOILES.

" each explosion pocket drives the rotor for Witnesses! ward, and whereby the aforementioned THOMAS A. BANMNG, J12, dralnage notches remove the burnt gases 'EPHRAIM BANNING. 

